Doucet has a Point

Posted by Blake in Weekly PostsJul 10th, 2007 | 3 responses

Clive Doucet abruptly left the council table yesterday stating that the consultations that were scheduled for the day were a waste of time.  His feeling was prompted by the fact that a majority of presenters were there to talk about their causes and why they should be kept at the forefront of councils planning and budgeting sessions.

Although the way he made his point was immature and somewhat grandstand-ish, he did have a point.  Many presentations were similar to a budget consultation pitch.  Supporting that point was the fact that Councillor Jan Harder and Mayor Larry O’Brien interrupted presentations by the public to state that their presentations were not in the scope of the meeting parameters.  As the day wore on, tempers grew short and some remarks from councillors bordered on insulting and arrogant and the resulting barbs between council members and presenters prolonged the day as these exchanges went longer than the planned five minute presentation.

Note to council:  If you don’t want to hear what the public has to say in forum like the one you called yesterday or you feel that their information is not what you want, please change the format from which you gather your public input.  It behooves me to remind you that people take precious time preparing and attending these meetings and you should respect that by showing graciousness and understanding. 

Mr. Doucet could have made his point before the meeting instead of the dramatic show he put on in council chambers but his point is noted.



3 Responses to “Doucet has a Point”

  1. Greater Ottawa says:
    July 10, 2007 at 3:09 pm

    Doucet’s denouement…

    Councillor Clive Doucet has emitted this statement about his walking out of a city council meeting yesterday…

  2. Perry says:
    July 14, 2007 at 11:46 am

    Coun. Clive Doucet was wrong, wrong, wrong…. to have left the strategic direction public consultation.

    Even if he was trying to make a point to the process, he should not have blown a casket like he did and then storm out of council,

    Beside being a self absorbed individual that only cares about environmental issues and little else, Doucet, in my perspective, does not meet the role of what a councillor is.

    Lets take a quick look at the terms of reference guide on what a councillor mandate is

    The Role - City of Ottawa Councillor is…

    The City councillor is the essential democratic link between the citizens of Ottawa and their local government. Councillors are responsible as voting members of Council to represent and balance the interests of their constituencies with the long term and immediate needs of the broader community of the City of Ottawa.

    Policy and City Program/services direction and approval

    Participate as a voting member of Council in setting broad planning and service directions for the current and future needs of the City of Ottawa by reviewing and ultimately voting on the Official Plan, Visions and Directions and on the expenditure of funds for studies/assessments to evaluate the need for certain programs, projects and initiatives.

    Representation of ward interests, citizens, issues

    Communicate with and consult local communities regarding proposed changes in City programs, services or other related issues.

    By removing himself from the strategic direction process, Doucet has become an “independent” on council.

    Perry Marleau

  3. Nick says:
    July 14, 2007 at 5:44 pm

    Clive might, and I do mean might, have some crediility, if he hadn’t voted for the session he stormed out of, the day before. If it was such a charade, why did he vote for it in the first place? I can’t believe it was only when he sat in teh chair and started listening that he realized who would be speaking. Guess he forgot to check the Itinerary huh.